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South African Bobotie with a Spicy Twist

This dish, with its roots deep in South African culinary tradition, is given a new lease of life with the addition of a homemade chilli mash. The minced meat is cooked with a blend of spices, chutney, sultanas, and bay leaves, then topped with a creamy egg mixture and baked to perfection. It's a hearty and warming dish, perfect for a cozy Valentine's dinner.
Course Main Course
Cuisine South Africa
Keyword bobotie, chili mash, chilli mash
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Minced Meat beef or lamb
  • 2 Slices Bread
  • 360 ml Whole Milk enough to soak the bread
  • 3 Medium Onions finely chopped
  • 5 Cloves of Garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Madras Chilli Paste to taste
  • 3 tbsp Mrs Balls Chutney or any sweet pach chutney
  • 20 ml Worcestershire Sauce
  • 25 ml Brown Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 100 g Sultanas not raisins
  • 30 g Chilli Mash from a fermentation, adjust to your spice preference
  • 5 Bay Leaves
  • 3 Eggs
  • 40 g Butter for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to a moderate temperature.
  • Soak the bread slices in milk until fully absorbed. Set aside.
  • In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and garlic, cooking until they are soft but not browned. This step is crucial for the right flavor profile.
  • Stir in the Madras chilli paste, chutney, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of brown vinegar.
  • Sprinkle most of the turmeric, reserving a pinch for later. Mix well.
  • Squeeze the milk out of the bread, mash it, and add it to the pan.
  • Add the minced meat, breaking it apart and stirring until it loses its pink color. Don’t overcook, as it will cook further in the oven.
  • Mix in the sultanas, a few bay leaves, and your chilli mash for extra heat.
  • Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
  • Stir in the remaining milk and a pinch of turmeric and salt.
  • Transfer the meat mixture into an oval baking dish, leveling it out.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the meat evenly.
  • Place a couple of bay leaves on top for garnish.
  • Place the baking dish in a larger dish filled with water (a makeshift bain-marie) to keep the bobotie moist.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the egg topping is set and golden.
  • Let the bobotie cool slightly before serving.
  • Enjoy the rich, curried, and slightly sweet flavor of this traditional South African dish with a spicy twist, perfect for a cozy dinner.

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